Obesity experts say that more Americans are overweight than ever recorded.
Recently released statistics published in USA Today say that 64.5 percent of American adults, or more than 120 million people, are overweight or obese. Not the last reason for that is ubiquitous eating fast food industry, according to presenters at “Nutrition, Fast Food and You.”
The presentation was held to clarify the pros and cons of eating fast food. Experts gave some general strategies for eating out and discussed specific choices at particular restaurants.
The presentation was organized by both Christine Haar, Dietetic Internship Director, and students from School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
The main theme of the presentation was that not all fast food is unhealthy, people just have to know what is good for them.
“Don’t eat in the car and have a healthful snack on hand,” Darsh Pandya, Master’s degree candidate in the Dietetic Program, said. “Have your meal in mind before you go to the restaurant, decide what you want to eat, and be the first one to order so that after everyone else orders you don’t start going, ‘Oh, that’s sounds great, maybe I should have that instead.’
According to Christine Haar, there healthy choices on campus if students look.
“The Student Health Center has put together some sample menus that show the different options that students can have. The University has a good variety. Though some students make better choices than others,” Harr said.
The key to healthy eating is in the right portions.
“I would say that the main problem with eating on campus is loading big plates,” said Katie Serneels, who is studying for her Master of Science’s degree in nutrition. “‘Oh, I have a huge salad and a slice of pizza,’ (students say). And (students) think that they are balancing it out. But in reality (students) are just consuming a lot of food.”
Overeating is quite a big public problem.
“(There should be) education about portions, encouraging people to be physically active,” Haar said. Tommy Thompson, secretary of Health and Human Services was going to meet with the restaurant industry and say ‘Look, do these portions really need to be that large?'”
Haar recommends that students who encounter problems with nutrition go to the Student Health Center and get personal counseling.
“Everything needs to be individualized,” she said. “Certainly there are some students who use more calories, who are more active, who are athletes.”
